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Transcendental Meditation was brought from India to the West in 1959 by the revolutionary meditation teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Although it may sound like a complex technique to learn, TM is actually simple, natural and effortless to practice. It’s also very easy and enjoyable to learn. You don’t need to be in the mood for TM in order to meditate and feel its benefits. You don’t need to be experienced in other meditation techniques or spiritual practices, no concentration or visualisation is necessary, you don’t need to sit in a yoga posture to meditate, you don’t even need to be in a silent place; all you need is somewhere to sit comfortably for 15-20 minutes – even a train, bus, plane, park bench – and you can enjoy TM!

Learned by more than 6 million people worldwide, 650 scientific research studies on TM show benefits such as improved sleep, improved memory, concentration and energy, reduced anxiety and depression, clearer thinking and reduced use of alcohol and tobacco.It’s taught in 4 sessions over a weekend and the first course at CHHC begins on Saturday 21st March. The Saturday session is a one-to-one personal instruction which lasts for about and hour. You’ll be shown how to meditate and have the opportunity to experience TM straight away. Then you’re asked to meditate at home and come back on Sunday 22nd March for two group sessions: the first from 10am-12pm and the second from 4pm-6:30pm. In these sessions you’ll learn more about how the technique works and also discover how to know if you’re meditating correctly. We then have a follow-up session on Monday 23rd March from 7-9pm. This is a refresher session and an opportunity to share your experiences and learn more about how to get the most out of TM. There are also group meditations at these sessions which are hugely enjoyable.

The course is offered by The Meditation Trust charity whose group of fully qualified, highly experienced and enthusiastic teachers offer expert instruction in this simple, effortless meditation. Our teacher for the Cheltenham area learned TM 29 years ago, qualified as a teacher 23 years ago and has individually taught 1000 people this remarkable meditation technique.

Once you’ve completed these sessions you’ll have a valuable skill that lasts for life!

The holiday season has approached and immediately so many images come to mind: snowflakes falling, Christmas music everywhere, cards piling up from relatives, children making their list of toys they want from Santa…

And yes, the holidays can be also a whirlwind of emotions and activities that take their toll on us.
First and foremost, the amount of overeating and drinking can overwhelm this festive holiday. Holiday parties offer all that food that embodies the warmth and richness of the season and conjure memories of holidays past.
Eating wholesome meals high in saturated fats may help you resist those sugary holiday cookies. But if you find yourself overpowered by the sweet smells of cookies and candies or even just the delicious meal in general, Nux vomica 30 will restore your holiday cheer.
This remedy eases digestive problems at both ends of the spectrum, from constipation to diarrhea, which may occur from overindulgence. When the wine or holiday punch comes out, recall this remedy if overindulging makes you feel nauseous or worse.
When the kids dive into the cookie jar or get candy canes from school, this remedy can benefit their overall irritability. Nux vomica 30 will also help them get to bed after the rush of Christmas sets in, which is a little gift for you. However, it should be noted that once these issues cease, do not continue to take the remedy.
In order to stay in good health in times like ours, preparation is everything. I know many who plan to make 2015’s resolution one that includes knowing how to get treated their family’s illnesses so that there is less dependence on drugs and such. This is not to mention the reduced costs associated with this way of life. Indeed, I can’t help but note that in my life and the lives of many others whom I’ve treated, the solutions homeopathy offers far exceed the expectations of even the best of conventional healthcare, even when it’s available.The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The reader is encouraged to make independent inquires and to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare provider.

We all like to indulge a little at this time of year, but many of us live to regret it in the hours that follow a big meal. The discomfort can go on for some time, but there are some measures we can take to try and avoid that feeling:

Aperitifs: If you often suffer from heart burn or acid indigestion, consider an aperitif using Angostura Bitters about 20 minutes before your meal. These bitters can stimulate enzyme production and aid digestion of your meal, helping to get all of those nutrients that you are consuming to the right places.

Use a smaller plate: Making your brain think that you have a full plate really does work. You are tricked into eating less without even noticing. Then you can go back for seconds and still be relatively guilt free.

Avoid drinking whilst eating: Large drinks can dilute your digestive enzymes and hence give your gut a harder time trying to breakdown the foods in it. Cut down the amount of liquid with your meal or better still, save your drinks until after.

Mindful eating: Think of why you are eating – at Christmas dinner it is more a question of enjoying the company of family and friends. Bear in mind the words of a wise chef, “ You taste the first 3 bites, after that, it’s just eating”.

Take your time: This is part of being mindful. A large part of digestion can happen in the mouth, so make sure that you chew your food properly and help your stomach by giving it less to break down.

Get moving: After that big meal what better than a Christmas walk? The movement aids peristalsis, which is the movement by which food is propelled through the gut. Plus the fresh air will invigorate you – and should it be sunny, you’ll get some Vitamin D too!

David Behrens is offering a new mindfulness meditation 4 week course starting in Mid January 2015 with CD and worksheets. Please call Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre or email info@chhc.co.uk to leave you details to register interest in this course.

Mindfulness

New Years is a traditional to time to start anew and begin again.
Life always gives us an opportunity to move forward and create what we wish for.

If you found challenges in 2014 with stress, anxiety, mood swings or just low energy.

2015 can be your New Year to rebuild . We all understand the value of exercise for the body and good diet for greater Health but often we forget about taking care of our own Mind.

Mindfulness Meditation is an effective way to take care of our Mind.

Did you know the word – Meditation: is derived from two Latin words: “meditari” – to think, to dwell upon, or to exercise the mind, and “mederi” – to heal. Meditation is a way to focus and exercise the mind to heal itself.
In 2014 as a Mindfulness Meditation teacher for the NHS recovery colleges in Gloucestershire I have watched how Mindfulness has been a great support for those dealing with the Mental Health Challenges. Each participant gained greater resilience and ways to experience the best in life.

When we are faced with mental health challenges such as anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression or just low mental energy. Mindfulness gives us the ability to step out of the deep patterns of our minds. We become more awake and able to make the best choices in our life.

Offered by David Behrens regular course tutor for Mindfulness Courses at the NHS funded recovery college for Mental Health in Gloucestershire.

Call for more information at CHHC 01242 584140.

More information see excerpt from the article at – http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-a-z/M/mindfulness/

Mindfulness is a mind-body based approach that helps people change the way they think and feel about their experiences, especially stressful experiences.
Mindfulness exercises or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are ways of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing and yoga. Mindfulness training helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, we’re better able to manage them.

It’s been known for millennia that the way we think and the way we handle how we feel plays a big part in mental health. Taking a mindfulness course can give people more insight into their emotions, boost their attention and concentration and improve relationships.

MBCT is recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the prevention of relapse in recurrent depression. It combines mindfulness techniques like meditation, breathing exercises and stretching with elements from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to help break the negative thought patterns that are characteristic of recurrent depression. Mindfulness is a potentially life-changing way to alter our feelings in positive ways, and an ever-expanding body of evidence shows that it really works.

Evidence
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to affect how the brain works and even its structure. People undertaking mindfulness training have shown increased activity in the area of the brain associated with positive emotion – the pre-frontal cortex – which is generally less active in people who are depressed.
More than 100 studies have shown changes in brain wave activity during meditation and researchers have found that areas of the brain linked to emotional regulation are larger in people who have meditated regularly for five years.
Research shows that Mindfulness can help with:
· recurrent depression
· anxiety disorders
· addictive behaviour
· stress
· chronic pain
· chronic fatigue syndrome
· insomnia
· plus more mental and physical problems.

There is growing evidence that Mindfulness in the workplace can improve productivity and decrease sickness absence, and increasingly employers are looking to benefit from its effect on workplace wellbeing. Find out more at Mindfulnet.
Almost three-quarters of GPs think mindfulness meditation would be helpful for people with mental health problems, and a third already refer patients to MBCT on a regular basis.

(Source: ICM survey June 2009 of 250 GPs). With the increase in talking therapies being instigated across the UK this is something that you can raise and discuss with your GP.

We all like to indulge a little at this time of year, but many of us live to regret it in the hours that follow a big meal. The discomfort can go on for some time, but there are some measures we can take to try and avoid that feeling:

Aperitifs: If you often suffer from heart burn or acid indigestion, consider an aperitif using Angostura Bitters about 20 minutes before your meal. These bitters can stimulate enzyme production and aid digestion of your meal, helping to get all of those nutrients that you are consuming to the right places.

Use a smaller plate: Making your brain think that you have a full plate really does work. You are tricked into eating less without even noticing. Then you can go back for seconds and still be relatively guilt free.

Avoid drinking whilst eating: Large drinks can dilute your digestive enzymes and hence give your gut a harder time trying to breakdown the foods in it. Cut down the amount of liquid with your meal or better still, save your drinks until after.

Mindful eating: Think of why you are eating – at Christmas dinner it is more a question of enjoying the company of family and friends. Bear in mind the words of a wise chef, “ You taste the first 3 bites, after that, it’s just eating”.

Take your time: This is part of being mindful. A large part of digestion can happen in the mouth, so make sure that you chew your food properly and help your stomach by giving it less to break down.

Get moving: After that big meal what better than a Christmas walk? The movement aids peristalsis, which is the movement by which food is propelled through the gut. Plus the fresh air will invigorate you – and should it be sunny, you’ll get some Vitamin D too!

The festive season can take its toll on our digestive systems with its abundance of rich food and drink. Did you know that the average person will consume 4,000 calories on Christmas Day alone? To help you survive the acid food onslaught we are offering a £10 discount on all colon hydrotherapy treatments booked from now until January 31st 2014.

Yin Yoga.
Exciting news; a new Yin class at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre, Fridays 6:15 – 7:30. The first class is on the 14th November and will be free! There will then be a four week block from 21st November – 12th December. £30 for all four classes (£7.50 per class), or £9.00 to drop in. No need to book.